This is page numbers 4369 - 4400 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was know.

Topics

Members Present

Hon. Diane Archie, Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. C. Cochrane, Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon-Armstrong.

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

---Prayer

Prayer
Prayer

May 31st, 2022

Page 4369

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Yesterday, the honourable Minister of Health and Social Services rose on a Point of Order in response to a statement by the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. The Minister believes the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh was out of order. She said he made allegations against her and imputed false motives. The Minister relied on Rule 3.2(3) sub-sections (h) and (i).

When deciding whether language used in this Chamber is unparliamentary, Speaker Lafferty, on June 23rd, 2017 said that the Speaker must take "...into account the tone, manner and intention of the Member speaking; the person to whom the words at issue were directed, the degree of provocation; and, most importantly, whether or not the remarks created disorder in the Chamber."

I note that I have no jurisdiction over comments made outside this House or in the media.

I reviewed the unedited transcripts from Hansard from May 30, 2022. The Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh used language that was strong, even inflammatory. Previous Speakers have decided that such language is not always a violation of the Rules of this Assembly.
however, the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh did more than use strong and inflammatory language.

On page 9 of unedited Hansard, the Member said "it is not appropriate to attempt to silence, validate criticism of their portfolio by threatening the integrity of the healthcare services in the community that I represent." The Member went on to say that the Minister was "even trying to gaslight patients who received unacceptable care into believing that it was their own fault for failing to advocate for their own medical conditions."

These two comments went beyond what is appropriate debate. The Minister has a valid Point of Order.

Rule 3.2(3)(h) makes it clear that it is out of order to make an allegation against another Member. In this case, the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh made two allegations against the Minister. Also, the Member's language was unparliamentary.

The Member accused the Minister of gaslighting patients. Gaslighting is a practice of psychological manipulation which is meant to make a person question their own version of events.

I note that on July 7, 2020 the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island found that an allegation of "gaslighting" was unparliamentary and out of order. I agree.

I expect Members of this House to conduct themselves appropriately. The language you use in the House should reflect this. While it is appropriate to share what constituents are saying to you, you must share those concerns in a manner that is consistent with the rules.

As I have found the Member out of order, I will now ask the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh to apologize to the House and withdraw the specific remarks found out of order.

Prayer
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Page 4369

Richard Edjericon

Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for your comments and your ruling. At this point, Mr. Speaker, I represent my community, and I've listened to a lot of people speak and the issue that's in front of us that we're talking about is near and dear to a lot of people in my constituency and at this point, Mr. Speaker -- I could talk a little bit more about the issue but at this point I am not able to apologize. Thank you.

Prayer
Prayer

Page 4369

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. I found your remarks out of order and will ask you again to apologize and withdraw your remarks. If you do not do this, I will be required to name you and ask you to remove yourself from the Chamber for the rest of the day. Thank you. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Prayer
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Page 4370

Richard Edjericon

Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, again, I'm just representing my constituents, bringing their issues forward, and I will stand by my remarks. Thank you, I will not apologize.

Prayer
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Page 4370

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you. Mr. Edjericon, pursuant to Rule 3.4, it is my duty as Speaker to name you. Please remove yourself from today's proceedings for the remainder of this sitting day. Thank you.

Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, whether a business is small or large, having a safe and healthy workplace is crucial for success. I am pleased to inform the House today that the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission is now accepting applications for a new Youth Safety Leadership Program.

This is an opportunity for young workers between ages of 14 and 24 in the Northwest Territories to develop as safe leaders within their communities and build skills that could lead towards rewarding career in the workplace health and safety.

The program includes online learning modules that focus on safety training, collaboration and leadership skills. In addition, the program includes volunteer projects within each participant's home community, and the opportunity to work with safety leaders and mentors from local businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage Members to share this opportunity with their constituents. It is an excellent first step for anyone interested in exploring a career in safety or for those simply working to ensure a safer future for themselves in any industry.

Applications for the program are now open for youth in all communities ages 14 to 24 on the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission's website.

I would also like to thank the staff of Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission for developing this training opportunity for our young people and our future employment across the Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, wildfires are an important part of the boreal forest, and naturally occurring fires are essential to ensuring forests remain healthy and sustainable. Allowing forest fires to burn where possible allows forests to regenerate and help to avoid larger and more dangerous fires later. All wildfires in the NWT are monitored and managed to ensure they do not pose a risk or threat to people, communities, infrastructure, or other assets.

Mr. Speaker, wildfire management starts before there is even a spark.

The Government of the Northwest Territories works with our partners throughout the year to promote FireSmart principles within our forested communities. FireSmart means working together, from individual residents to neighbours to communities and all levels of government, to keep residents safe, to be prepared, and to be more resilient when wildfires strike.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources encourages NWT residents to take steps around their homes, businesses, camps, and cabins to reduce the risk of wildfires, wildfire damage.

We have developed new resources for kids, adults, and businesses to provide information and tools. Our FireSmart presence online has been overhauled and we have invested in a targeted marketing campaign to build FireSmart awareness. We are working with communities on training, community protection plans, and preparedness, so we are ready for wildfires before they even begin.

This year, four communities took the initiative to plan wildfire community protection days. Activities took place in Fort Smith, Kakisa, Tulita, and Yellowknife, including along the Ingraham Trail at Tibbitt Lake. This is the most community engagement we have seen in the territory in any single year.

We encourage residents to take FireSmart steps at home, steps like keeping the area within a metre-and-a-half of their home or cabin free of material that can burn, as well as cleaning brush and branches from their yard.

Mr. Speaker, NWT fire crews, and a team of technical and operational staff, have supported them and have been busy preparing for this year's fire season. Well-trained firefighters are ready to go across the NWT, including many who are members of contracted crews managed by local Indigenous governments and businesses. Air tankers and other key wildfire management equipment are also at the ready.
We have 36 four-man crews to attack fires, and five air tanker groups ready to support fire operations wherever they are needed throughout the fire season.

Mr. Speaker, protecting NWT residents and communities is a top priority as we deliver these essential services. For the past two seasons, our wildfire teams were required to adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols, and this summer we will continue to make adjustments so that we have healthy crews to respond to fires when needed.

We have hired additional staff in smaller communities to reduce the need to bring in firefighters from other regions, or outside the territory, and we will have access to additional air tankers to respond to fires when they are small. While we are ready to respond to wildfires when we need to, it is important that we continue to take steps this summer to prevent them before they start.

Mr. Speaker, it is very important that we all take steps to prevent human-caused wildfires. Experience tells us that wildfires caused by humans tend to happen closer to towns and often threaten homes and cabins. I encourage all residents to be safe this summer when you go out on the land, enjoying the natural beauty of the NWT. Make sure to properly manage campfires and burn piles and be careful with cigarettes. Let us do our part to prevent forest fires. That includes understanding the environmental conditions and the fire danger level before you go out. It also means avoiding campfires when the fire danger is high or extreme, unless a fire is necessary for cooking or warmth.

In closing, I would like to recognize the firefighters and wildfire management teams across the NWT for all that you do to keep NWT residents and families safe. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, Environmental, Social, and Governance, or ESG principles, have become more prevalent over the past few years in the mineral resources industry, with investors, demographic groups, and the general public, demanding stronger ESG investments from business and industry.

A global movement towards ESG investment and social consciousness is good news for the Northwest Territories because we are leaders in ESG measures and performance. We are, in fact, already moving toward advocating for the next generation of ESG through an Indigenous lens, or ESG-I, an approach that breaks down barriers and ensures Indigenous people are at the decision-making table from the start.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories began its mineral resource industry with gold, then transitioned into the diamond capital of North America, positioning itself as an ethical stable democracy and a dedicated steward of the land enabling responsible resource development. While companies like Arctic Star and Mountain Province Diamond are currently finding kimberlites, we also have well-established critical minerals projects with NICO, Pine Point, and Prairie Creek that are nearing mine construction decisions. And with the Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements Project, the Northwest Territories has the first rare earths mine in Canada, with the potential for many years of production.

In the coming months, as we advance work on the NWT Critical Minerals Action Plan, ESG-I standards and associated initiatives, we will engage with stakeholders and partners to ensure the Northwest Territories' collaborative spirit guides our work as we renew our focus on sustaining our mineral resource sector.

Mr. Speaker, next month I will be attending the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada in Toronto, one of the world's premier mineral resource sector conferences. Before I share our message on that stage, I wanted to first remind colleagues, residents, and businesses about our leadership potential in this global movement. I want to especially highlight our ESG-I strengths in our governing relationships and our regulatory approach.

The 2014 Northwest Territories Devolution Agreement established the Intergovernmental Council to allow the public and Indigenous governments to collaborate on matters related to lands and resource management while respecting the autonomy and authority of each government. This council is an important central figure as the Northwest Territories shifts progressively to an ESG-I model.

Mr. Speaker, in early May, the Gahcho Kue mine received the prestigious Towards Sustainable Mining Excellence Award from the Mining Association of Canada.

Gahcho Kue's commitment and focus on community engagement and environmental stewardship is a reflection of the relationships and respect that exist between Northwest Territories' mining industry and Indigenous governments and organizations. This award, to an NWT-based project, highlights to investors the ESG and ESG-I practices that set the Northwest Territories apart from other jurisdictions.

Founded in a first-class regulatory regime under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act 25 years ago, our regulatory framework places environmental protection, traditional knowledge, and Indigenous rights at the centre of decision-making. It has flourished thanks to partnerships amongst the Northwest Territories' diamond industry, northern and Indigenous governments, and communities.

Mr. Speaker, our regulatory system is comprehensive and recognizes many of the issues that are important not only to our citizens, including environmental protection and Indigenous rights, but form cornerstones of ESG. That said, there is an opportunity for improvement in the timeliness, clarity, and certainty of our regulatory framework.

We are in a transition period. We are putting new, first-of-its-kind, modern mineral resource legislation and companion regulations in place, with features like formalized benefit agreements and online map staking. We continue to dialogue with partners to identify and advance operational improvements in regulatory processes for exploration projects. We have a well-established approach to sharing the social and economic benefits of mineral development with Indigenous governments. And we have begun the conversation to move our territory's land and water boards, the final piece of our regulatory process, into the hands of responsible northern governments.

Mr. Speaker, today's Northwest Territories mineral resource industry is innovative, collaborative, and focused on environmental stewardship and Northern benefits. It is guided, in part, by the pioneering and resourceful geoscientists who apply science and knowledge from the search for natural resources to mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change. It coordinates with the GNWT and Indigenous governments to enhance resources for capacity building and support resource revenue sharing across different levels of government.

The global industry is catching up to the Northwest Territories and our practices that we have honed over nearly three decades.

In the coming years of work on our regulatory processes, with our collaborative best practices and potential resources still untapped, we can set our jurisdiction apart as one that has great potential and investor confidence in our leading-edge environmental, social, and governance principles.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, the flooding in Hay River, West Point, and K'atlodeeche has impacted businesses in the fishing, agricultural and tourism sectors. Mr. Speaker, these business sectors are not only important to those that participate in them, but also to those persons and businesses that purchase the products from those sectors.

The agricultural sector, which has several producers located at Paradise Valley, was significantly impacted by this year's flood and may not be prepared, or be fully prepared, for this production season.

The fishing sector businesses, which are primarily located in the West Channel, West Point, and Old Town, had much of their equipment compromised which will now require not only cleanup but purchasing new equipment to replace what was lost or damaged. This may translate into a late start.

We have two tourism operators located on the shore of the Great Slave Lake, with one suffering severe damage to buildings and equipment for the second year in a row and will require major repairs.

The Wharf Pavilion, in the Old Town, allows vendors to cater to residents, visitors, and tourists, suffered flood damage and will require cleanup and repairs. This is expected to delay its opening this season.

Mr. Speaker, the effect of this flood goes beyond damage to property. It affects the seasonal livelihood of many business owners, their employees and customers. Some of the flood damage in these sector businesses may be covered by the Disaster Assistance Policy. The question is, does the Disaster Assistance Policy compensate for loss of revenue and wages - a question asked by business owners.

Without revenue and wages, these business owners, operators and workers, may step back and look for alternate employment that will provide immediate income to put food on the table while they rebuild. That, along with waiting on funds to repair damage, or replace damaged equipment, may result in a lost season for some business owners and operators.

Mr. Speaker, this government has made major investments in each of the fishing, agricultural, and tourism sectors in Hay River. We have a $15 million fish plant being constructed in the hope of revitalizing a commercial fishing industry, which industry has now been delivered another blow by flooding. We have seen contributions and supports provided to the agricultural sector to build infrastructure which is now compromised and damaged. Tourism operators and facilities are situated in flood-prone areas and continue to be impacted year after year with no resolve.

Before we lose these sectors, we must provide those business owners and operators with some immediate financial supports to supplement the Disaster Assistance Policy funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today is the last day of the Sexual Violence Awareness Month in Canada, and I recognize and pay tribute to all the victims of sexual violence. We must raise awareness of the devastating impacts sexual violence has on a person, their family, and their community.

Mr. Speaker, every day in the territory someone is the victim of sexual violence. Sexual violence is verbal harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual assault, and rape. The Northwest Territories has the second highest rate of sexual assault in Canada. This is 7.3 times higher than the national rate, Mr. Speaker. These are shocking numbers and are affecting all of our residents.

Mr. Speaker, in the Northwest Territories, women are three times more likely than men to be victims of sexual assault. In other words, women are being victimized at a much higher rates than men. This is gender-based violence happening here in our territory.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that extreme intoxication could be used as a defence in criminal cases of assault, including sexual assault, Mr. Speaker. This is appalling. It erodes the rights of victims of sexual violence; in particular, women, who are victimized at a much higher rate than men.

Mr. Speaker, many victims of sexual violence are already reluctant to come forward and report what happened. Many people have mistrust of the RCMP, legal systems, and legacy of colonization and residential schools where abuse was rampant. This affects Indigenous women, children, and those who identify with the LGBTQ2S+ community especially. The recent ruling makes it even more difficult to report with confidence that they will be taken serious or get any justice.

Mr. Speaker, the justice system was set up to hold people responsible for their actions. I stand with the survivors of sexual violence. I encourage all of my colleagues and residents of the Northwest Territories to support and advocate for survivors of sexual violence and to address gender-based violence as unacceptable. The safety, health, and well-being for all women, children, and those in the LGBTQ2S+ community, and all members of our communities, depends on it.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Justice. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, throughout this Assembly, I have done several Member statements about the RCMP and the need for improved and more accountable policing within the constituency of Thebacha, and across the NWT. Today I want to continue highlighting some of the concerns I have seen and heard about the RCMP as of late.

Mr. Speaker, because of the effects of the pandemic on mental health and the serious incident in Fort Smith in March, I am concerned that the RCMP does not offer casual replacements to ensure the community is fully served by eight members. For safety reasons and for all the reasons regarding enforcement, drug-related problems, mental health issues, and a sense of peace in the community after such a turbulent year, from what I see the RCMP have an empire here in Yellowknife and I think it's time the commander steps up, shows leadership, and shows respect to the community of Fort Smith and ensures that the manpower is shared with the staff out of Yellowknife if needed.

There's a lot of RCMP staff here in Yellowknife but I must ensure that Fort Smith is looked after in a safe and proper way so community members can feel at peace in their community at this time. There are only four RCMP members there right now and one that is a temporary officer from another jurisdiction. They are trying very hard to serve Fort Smith, but how can only four RCMP members serve a community of 2500 day and night?

This is a very stressful time for the RCMP right now as I'm sure their workload is very high. I appreciate all the work the four RCMP members in the community are faced with, and I want to thank them wholeheartedly for their efforts to keep the community safe and hopefully we can address the staff shortage issue until the permanent staff arrives.

Mr. Speaker, I attended a leadership meeting in Fort Smith two weeks ago where the issue of RCMP staffing levels was talked about. In that meeting, I discovered that Fort Smith is experiencing a shortage of RCMP staff right now. Fort Smith is supposed to have eight RCMP officers; however, there are currently only four officers stationed there. This is very concerning from a safety and readiness standpoint in case of emergencies and for general response time by RCMP as well.

Given this information, I am questioning if the level of public safety for community members in Fort Smith is adequate in addressing all the law enforcement issues in my community. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mr. Speaker, it is not okay and it is unsafe that my community is facing a shortage of law enforcement personnel to protect and serve the people of Fort Smith. It is not fair that the capital has all or most of their RCMP positions filled all the time when the small communities and regional centres are left with a shortage of RCMP staff. As MLA for Thebacha, I am looking to ensure my community is properly looked after and is up to par with the capital in terms of public safety.

I will have questions for the Minister of Justice later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Oh, not one of those days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, my prepared statement today is about the recent announcement regarding the proposed development on Tin Can Hill. Since the information became public, I've had nonstop communications from my constituents who are as surprised as I was to find out the city and ECE have been discussing this option for a while now with no input from residents. However, Mr. Speaker, I think it's important that instead I stand up today and speak in support of my colleague from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh as I too know what it is like to deal with the ramifications in this House of trying to speak up for what you believe is right.

Mr. Speaker, I'm proud of MLA Edjericon. For someone who didn't start this year as an MLA, he has quickly caught up with the rest of us and has become a strong, badly-needed voice for his constituents. His long history of being involved with his people in his communities shows that while he may be new to this building, he is far from inexperienced when it comes to leadership and politics. In fact, I'd argue he has more qualifications than many of the people in this building, including myself. And I respect him for the efforts I've seen since he first set foot in this building to elevate the concerns of his people and be heard.

Sometimes, Mr. Speaker, when you stand up for what is right, you find yourself standing alone. And I want MLA Edjericon to know that is not the case in this instance. Thank you

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Just so -- I know there's a lot of new Members here, but you can't question rulings made in the House. But for the future, just so Members are aware. Thank you.

Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today the Office of the Auditor General is in the Legislative Assembly to deliver a report on how the Government of the Northwest Territories is providing mental health and addiction services to residents. Mr. Speaker, these reports are excellent opportunity to follow up on progress made by our government.

Two years ago, the auditor general found deeply concerning flaws in the NWT education system. The auditor found huge gaps in the educational results between small and larger communities. The OAG report says this is a huge issue. Graduation rates in small communities are much lower than in Yellowknife and regional centres.

Mr. Speaker, not only are students in small communities less likely to graduate from high school, they also learn under more difficult conditions than their peers in regional centres. Students in small communities face numerous challenges that depend on the size of classes, teacher/student ratio, and overall living conditions. The situations may be different in each small community.

The auditor general recommended that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment "should identify what is required to provide equitable access to quality education for all students and take actions."

The auditor also noted that this action should include providing additional support to principals of small schools and teachers in multi-grade classrooms.

Mr. Speaker, the department committed to large initiatives and investments in small communities in its response to the auditor general. Last year after reviewing the auditor's report, the Standing Committee on Government Operations recommended that ECE bring forward a plan to better support schools in small communities.

ECE's response does not do much to fix the problems that the auditor general identified. ECE "committed to working with education bodies" and is scanning the country for more evidence-based practice. This response is just a plan to make a plan. ECE does not need another work plan. It needs to take action.

Mr. Speaker, the problems with our education system cannot be fixed with legislative change alone. Many people have told ECE that already, including the Tlicho region. Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

ECE should stop working on making plans to make plans and focus on what action they can take today. GNWT needs to stop trying to fix the symptoms of the problem and address the real issues in communities. The biggest problems facing small communities are social and economic ones like housing, mental health and addictions, and lower average income levels.

Mr. Speaker, this is very simple. Communities with poor housing, high rates of addictions and low average income, have lower educational achievement. GNWT needs to get serious about fixing social and economic conditions in small communities.

Mr. Speaker, I am very disappointed in ECE's response to the OAG recommendations. ECE needs to spend a lot less time planning and a lot more time taking action. Small communities need more support and resources.

Having worked in education for over 20 years, I can say frontline staff feel like ECE is taking more and more control over operations. ECE needs to listen more to the real experts in communities. ECE needs to start listening to the people who work every day educating children. ECE needs to take a different approach to problem solving. GNWT cannot continue focusing on NWT-wide standardization at the cost of creating disadvantage for small communities.

Every one of our 33 communities is special and unique. Our communities come in all different sizes, and each has its own culture and belief.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Education at the appropriate time. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Just a reminder to Members when you seek unanimous consent to conclude your statement, it's to conclude it. That was like two statements there, but in the future keep that in mind. Be mindful of your colleagues that still need to go as well.

Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Mr. Speaker, in February 2020 I told this House a brief story. It was a week-long conversation about one Northerner's challenge to access support services. Today, over two years later, Avery would still find the same barriers. Mr. Speaker, too many Northerners are falling through the cracks with the government's siloed approach to service delivery at the cost of residents' mental health, ability to thrive, and the government's bottom line.

We hear over and over again that the answer is integrated service delivery. But we also hear from the GNWT that we are years away from actually implementing integrated service delivery.

Take the example of integrated service delivery for child and family services. In 2019, this Assembly made it a mandate goal to develop an integrated service delivery approach by fall of 2021, but the business plans are only aiming to establish integrated service delivery demonstration sites in at least four communities by the end of this Assembly. And presumably other communities will have to wait even longer for an integrated child and family services.

But one of the most significant integrations, Mr. Speaker, is the siloed approach to income support and public housing.

The pace to actually implement integrated service delivery is deeply frustrating, and it causes huge challenges for effective program delivery and difficulty accessing supports. The GNWT currently spends over $700 million annually on social programs through Justice, Health, Housing, and Education, Culture and Employment. Each of these departments addresses a different aspect of a person's challenges but the siloed service delivery causes program duplication and the frequency and duration that the individual cycles through public systems of care. It means residents are not receiving person-centered care and the government is spending more down the road through cyclical and costly use of resources, and this decreases the window of opportunity an individual will permanently or successfully exit the system of crisis services.

I want to urge the government to prioritize and accelerate work to implement integrated service delivery. We need to at least connect Housing and ECE supports in the life of this Assembly to create more stability for Northerners struggling with access to basic human rights. Integrated service delivery meets northerners where they're at and brings together the social program departments and their frontline staff to coordinate plans of care and support residents with their actual needs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.